EVER seen that movie called ?Goodbye Lenin? about an East German family whose mother, a social activist, lapses into a coma a few weeks before the Berlin Wall is torn down? When she wakes up, her two children think it?s best to break the news to her slowly as they wouldn?t want to add any further stress or anxiety to her precarious state of health.So they continue to behave as though nothing has happened since she went into the coma until the inevitable day when she is well enough to leave her apartment only to be confronted with a unified Germany and the disintegration of her socialist ideals.I?m sure a few St George fans suffered the same fate as they watched their team implode against the Tigers in last year?s Qualifying Final. With that in mind, how would you explain to an ardent Dragons supporter just emerging from a four month slumber that Lance Thompson will be playing for the Cronulla Sharks in 2006?Would it be too much for them to handle? It?s going to be quite a shock watching Thommo run around in a Sharks jersey. His past two seasons have been pretty solid and I think amongst his best form ever. He?s going to a club that have rebuilt a little and he?s going to be expected to do plenty of work. Jason Stevens and Danny Nutley, two very experienced forwards, have left Cronulla and Ben Ross comes in to complement Hutch Maiva, but there has been talk of Thompson at prop also.So, is the best yet to come from Lance Thompson?I think Lance himself would admit he hasn?t quite lived up to expectations. Although playing over 200 first grade games is a huge achievement, he was touted for rep honours from a young age and has never really delivered on that promise. He twice captained the Junior Kangaroos and cut a swathe through rugby league as a youngster, demanding attention. As I?ve grown up our paths briefly crossed a few times. Being a standout junior in the region, Thompson was sent to Kingsgrove High, along will all those other footballing students like Anthony Mundine and Adam Peek plus a few others that almost got there like Tere Glassie and Jason Asplet.Playing for Sydney Tech (that fortress of sporting prowess) in the under 16?s St George knockout, we were 2 points ahead of Kingsgrove with barely seconds to play before Thompson barrelled our winger and raked the ball back to regain possession (you could do that back then, *sigh*). He proceeded to carry most of us over the try line and score to stage a remarkable victory.Two years later I watched from the sidelines at Kogarah Oval as we were once again pitted against Kingsgrove in the divisional final of the Commonwealth Bank Cup. After all, this was a big game, the winner got to play in a TV match!From the kick-off we worked the ball up to 40 metres out from their line and received a penalty. Our halfback took a shot at goal and missed. That was our last scoring opportunity for the afternoon. The final result of 68-nil flattered us and four of our players were taken to hospital.That day, despite the sickening sight of the scoreboard and several pools of blood around our bench, I was a little bit excited. Thommo had already made his first grade debut for Saints (ironically against the Sharks) and after watching him meticulously trample most of my mates on the field, I felt confident he would one day do the same in the Red V.But I don?t think he has. I?ll be the first to admit he was unlucky to get injured against Souths at the SCG in 2004 when it appeared as though he was a certainty for NSW after being included in the 30-man squad. Apart from that he has represented City three times (once as captain) but otherwise his name has been as scarce as hen?s teeth at the selection table.And over the years he has attracted a bit of unwanted attention for himself- Sent off two weeks in a row (Rounds 7 & 8 in 1998)- The fight with Andrew Hart at St George Leagues club- Turning up to training drunkAnd now he has left amid a very public fallout with the club, coach and CEO. So he does come with a fair amount of baggage. But perhaps he?ll leave all that behind when he starts playing at Cronulla, where a new coach and team mates await.One of the theories going around when players are coached by people they played with is that the player has an embedded lack of respect for the coach. Did Thompson suffer from this under Nathan Brown? It?s possible he did and perhaps that contributed to the falling out.So where does this leave him for 2006?I think he?s in for a big year. At Cronulla he won?t be the proud local junior that has graced the dressing sheds since he was 16. He won?t be walking around like he owns the joint and he won?t be treated as royalty by the supporters.At 28, he will have to prove himself to players, fans and the coach that he is worthy of selection in the team each week. The coach will not be afraid to drop him if he?s not playing well enough. It remains to be seen what sort of impact being placed outside his comfort zone will have on him, but I think it will remind him how much he loves playing footy.And as a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and is an emotional kind of guy, I think it will bring out the best in him. Round 9 at Toyota Park just got a whole lot more interesting?

FORMER rugby league international Kevin Walters has shown there are no hard feelings over his sacking as Brisbane assistant, renewing ties with the Broncos today.Walters' long association with the NRL club was extended at Bundaberg today when Brisbane unveiled a 12-month sponsorship deal with Bundaberg Rum. Walters happily rubbed shoulders with Brisbane players and Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen while the ex-Test half was named the first Bundaberg Rum rugby league ambassador as part of the new deal.Walters has also applied for the Newcastle head coach job that will be vacated by Parramatta-bound mentor Michael Hagan in 2007.Meanwhile Brisbane hooker Barry Berrigan's rugby league career is in the balance due to constant neck pain.The Broncos workaholic is receiving ongoing treatment on his neck after waking up with the pain three weeks ago. Berrigan consulted a spinal surgeon last night but Broncos medical staff are still trying to diagnose the best treatment for the 30-year-old.Broncos team doctor Peter Friis has confirmed the pain is unrelated to Berrigan's surgery in 2004 when he had two vertebrae fused. Berrigan opted to miss the NRL club's bus trip to Bundaberg today. The Broncos contingent featured Berrigan's likely replacement Michael Ennis as well as Brad Thorn, Nick Parfitt, Brett Seymour and David Stagg also visited Childers today as part of the NRL Community Carnival.

MALTA?S rugby league talent was on firing display at the 2006 Orara Valley Sevens, completed over the recent weekend at Coramba Sportsground, near Coffs Harbour on Australia?s east coast.With supporters travelling en masse to the Australia?s premier rugby league sevens tournament, Malta dazzled its opponents throughout both days, kicking off the tournament in convincing fashion with a 28-22 win over 2007 NRL newcomers, the Gold Coast Titans. Brad Clews opened the weekend?s try scoring displays with a stepping charge, beating Titan?s John Dean to put on the first scoring play. Parramatta Eels Simon Micallef and Penrith Panthers Jarrod Sammut opening their try scoring accounts, both crossing for a double. Completing the opening day, Malta scored an aggregate of 32 points positive, in pushing aside local A grade outfit Crescent Head Roos and then an under strength Australian Maoris.Orara Valley Axemen Rugby League Club chairman Glen Soper revealed that more than 15,000 spectators had contributed to the city?s big week of league, with Malta continuing its successful march into the Sunday finals.Malta out muscled the Sydney Bulls to qualify for the quarter final, the Jim Beam Cup outfit falling to the might of the Malta Knights by 34-26, after the days preceding saw Malta take centre stage with the naming of three players in the tournaments international team of the tournament. Malta skipper Ben Sammut joined Simon Micallef and Jarrod Sammut in taking the honours.After a convincing round of results, Narwan Eels were provided a 30-8 rugby league sevens lesson by one of the tournament?s Mediterranean heavyweights.Malta then met Lebanon for the ultimate sevens match up between the Mediterranean nations, the match delayed for 45 minutes as former NRL livewire Wes Patten led a protest to dispute a previous refereeing decision. Hollywood actor Russell Crowe became a mediator in settling the disagreement, which posed a threat to tarnishing the magnificent tournament in the final hours.Malta and Lebanon later returned to the field for the eagerly awaited semi final contest. Wests Magpies? Pat Galea also taking the field, albeit with a broken hand suffered in the opening match of the tournament.Lebanon played the perfect game of sevens rugby league and with all credit due, edged out Malta by 32-26.Malta placed third, a marked improvement from the fourth place finish of 2005.Lebanon went on defeat Fiji and become back-to-back champions of the Orara Valley Sevens.Further to the haul of awards, Malta?s newest debutant Jarrod Sammut took out the tournament?s top point scorer award with a tally of 38 points.Despite the class shown throughout the finals, the hosts awarded Malta?s Daniel Spiteri with the tournament?s player of the finals, capping off another triumphant appearance and further promoting the thriving energies of Maltese rugby league.Ex NRL and Super League star Ben Sammut, skipper of the Malta Knights received the highest of accolades when presented as the overall player of the tournament by the host club, for the second year in succession.Ubeeco?s Joe Borg presented the Maltese Rugby League Association?s internal player of the tournament award to Simon Micallef and praised the MRLA?s efforts towards the prosperous weekend.In scoring 38 points over the weekend, Jarrod Sammut also received the MRLA?s top point scorer award.2006 Orara Valley Sevens Player of the TournamentBen Sammut (Mlt)2006 Orara Valley Sevens Player of the Finals Daniel Spiteri (Mlt)2006 Orara Valley Sevens Top Point scorerJarrod Sammut (Mlt) 38 Points2006 Orara Valley Sevens International team of the TournamentBen Sammut (Mlt)Jarrod Sammut (Mlt)Simon Micallef (Mlt)2006 MRLA Orara Valley Sevens Player of the TournamentSimon Micallef (Mlt)2006 MRLA Orara Valley Sevens Top Point scorerJarrod Sammut (Mlt) 38 PointsDAY OneGroup AGame 1Malta 28 (S. Micallef 2, J. Sammut 2, J. Micallef, Clews tries; J. Sammut, Clews goals)defeated Gold Coast Titans 22Game 2Malta 30 (J. Sammut 2, D. Spiteri, J. Micallef, B. Sammut, B. Russell tries; J. Sammut 2, B. Sammut goals) defeated Crescent Head 16Game 3Malta 26 (S. Borg, S. Micallef, D. Spiteri, P. Marzella, P. Galea tries; S. Borg, S. Micallef, P Marzella goals)defeated Australian Maoris 8Day TwoRound of 16Malta 34 (D. Spiteri 2, S. Borg, S. Micallef, P. Marzella, J. Sammut tries; S. Borg, S. Micallef, P Marzella, J. Sammut 2 goals)defeated Sydney Bulls 26Quarter FinalsMalta 30 (J. Micallef 2, S. Micallef, D. Spiteri, J. Sammut, N. Attard tries; D. Spiteri, J. Micallef, J. Sammut goals)defeated Narwan 8Semi FinalsMalta 26 (S. Micallef, D. Spiteri, J. Micallef, J. Sammut, W. Grech tries; D. Spiteri, J. Micallef, W. Grech goals)lost to Lebanon 323v4 PlayoffMalta won on forfeit vs Auburn Warriors

THE Brisbane Broncos say hooker Barry Berrigan is unlikely to have further surgery on his neck before the upcoming NRL season. Berrigan has been cleared by team medicos of any damage to the area where two vertebrae were fused during surgery in late 2004. He will visit his spinal surgeon in Brisbane this evening after complaining of pain in the area for the past few weeks.

THE Canberra Raiders have re-signed promising junior William Zillman until 2009.Zillman is seen as a future star by the club and securing his services for a further three seasons allows the Raiders to maintain and develop their up and coming stars as they try and rebuild the club into a successful franchise, one to return the Raiders to the upper echelon of NRL clubs.Zillman was voted by his peers to the Raiders leadership group and last week attended the NRL rookie camp in Sydney so he is seen by the club as a lynch pin to their future prospects.The Raiders are looking to secure the services of current players Phil Graham, Jermaine Ale and David Howell before the start of the 2006 NRL season.

THE Redcliffe Dolphins have just returned from a weekend training camp in Gympie where the whole club were put their paces with conditioning sessions, defensive sessions, attacking sessions as well as a video session and a lecture on club policy and procedures. Head coach Anthony Griffin was very pleased with how all the players went on the camp. "We will probably tinker with the format a little bit, but I think it was a success." he said. "Not only the players,I think some of us coaches got a bit of it as well, I think we (Coaches) realised we weren't as fit as we thought" he added.As the Dolphins prepare for their first hit out against Broncos/Toowoomba squad on February 18 there is a spring in everybodies step because they know a game is just around the corner. Griffin is expected to name his squad this week.The Broncos and Dolphins affiliation although only in it's infancy is proving to be winner with several members of the Dolphins senior squad being invited to train with the NRL squad Shane Perry, Nick Emmett, Pat Gardner and Danny Green (pictured) have been some of the Dolphins who have participated in the sessions.It will be a new look Dolphins that take the field in the opening trial and I don't just mean the new signings. The club has turned back the clock and will be wearing a new strip this season.

WESTS Tigers have given half-back and captain Scott Prince permission to speak to three NRL Clubs before June 30, 2006.Steve Robinson, Prince?s manager, and the Wests Tigers club reached an agreement last week whereby Prince is only allowed to talk to the Queensland Clubs.Both parties will then meet at the end of February to enable Wests Tigers to conduct final negotiations with Prince. The matter is hoped to be resolved before the start of the season on March 10.

THE picturesque Orara Valley Axemen?s home ground in Coramba, New South Wales was the scene of an epic 2006 Orara Valley Sevens Final yesterday between defending champions, Lebanon, and the desperately unlucky Fiji Batis.In what was a pulsating encounter of high quality rugby league, Lebanon scored 6 tries (all unconverted) to 5, to win narrowly 24-22. The match ended with a gallant Fiji side, minus injured captain Semesa Cadrakiliagi, attacking relentlessly with magnificent, open rugby league (as they had played all tournament) and Lebanon frustrating each successive wave of attack with superb scrambling defence.In earlier matches, Lebanon had disposed of Fiji A, Guyra, Leichhardt Wonderers, Tigers, Moore Park (controversially) and tournament surprise packets, Malta. Fiji Batis had lost their opening game to Hoey Moey before warming to their form in successive winning matches against Renown, Sawtell, North Ryde Hawks, Gold Coast Titans ? in advance of their debut entry into the NRL competition in 2007 ? and the talented Auburn Warriors.Lebanon?s semi-final with Malta was delayed for approximately 20 minutes with Moore Park formally submitting a protest over their losing result against Lebanon (28-18) in an earlier quarterfinal. The protest, involving former NRL player Wes Patten, seemed to focus on a disallowed Moore Park try at a crucial stage. Hollywood royalty was called in to deal with the dispute with Russell Crowe intervening to ensure the tournament continued without a change of semi-final combatants.The tension before the Final reached a crescendo with the intimidation of the Fijian war dance concluding literally in the faces of the Lebanese players, who reacted with calm indifference as they stood linked arm-in-arm on the halfway line. Fiji?s attitude to proceedings was demonstrated with a chip ahead on the second tackle after Lebanon?s kick-off and they duly took the lead with Marika Korovue crossing for a try after concerted pressure.Lebanon showed good speed with Johnny Geaves scoring yet another in a tournament full of tries for him, to level up the match at 4-4. Fiji?s glorious instinct to move the ball at every occasion saw a 60m penetration involving 6 players nearly bring off another try before Lebanon took the lead for the first time at 8-4 with a try in the corner to Fred Khouiss. Fiji were not assisted by the absence of a key player after NRL referee Shane Hayne dispatched Semisi Tora to the sinbin for a crucial 3 minute stint. Perhaps the turning point in this match (and the tournament) was Cadrakiliagi throwing an intercept and then injuring his knee in quickly rounding up the Lebanese recipient Samer El Masri. The Fijian captain played no further part in the Final ? a factor that may have proved costly judging by his fine early form throughout the tournament. Shortly after, a visibly shaken Fiji, conceded the second of a brace of tries to that man Geaves, resulting in a 12-4 lead to Lebanon. Fortunately for Fiji, the kicking at goal by Lebanon (failing to register a conversion from 6 attempts) was abysmal. Tournament rules prescribed that the try scorer must take a drop-kick attempt at conversion resulting in some interesting interpretations of this difficult art from patently uncomfortable kickers.Lebanon then showed good flair to make heavy inroads into Fijian territory before scoring an intelligent try from a kick to Toufic Nicholas. Fiji, sensing their opportunity slipping, ceaselessly attacked the Lebanese defensive line, resulting in the talented Max Bainivalu responding with a try after Meli Vosuqa and Tora had combined superbly. At halftime ? the Final was comprised of two 12-minute halves - Lebanon stood tall at 16-8.Lebanon started the second half in a flurry with standout player Jason Stanton finishing off clever attacking work from four other players to help the Cedars pull away to a nearly insurmountable 20-8 lead. Clever work by Korovue sent Ioware Divavesi in for an immediate Fijian response with a converted try under the posts, narrowing the gap to just 6 points.A massive tackle by giant Fijian Neori Kurumalawai momentarily halted Lebanon?s momentum before Travis Touma regained it for the defending champions with a try to make the score 24-14.It was at this point that Fiji really threw off the shackles to enthral the crowd with high pace, sevens rugby league. Quick tries to both Korovue and then Bainivalu, helping each to register two for the match, saw Fiji close the gap to 24-22. Bainivalu, in particular, and Tora proved a menace out wide with Fiji striving to keep the ball alive at every juncture with flowing football. Only desperate Lebanon defence, with Mo Chahal especially prominent, saw the final grasping tackle effected on a Fijian attacker before the hooter blasted out its final note.Lebanon?s jubilation at successive tournament victories was all the more vivid when contrasted with the abject disappointment of the Fijians, a fact that made the post-game embraces between the rival players all the more noteworthy. This reflected what was a spirited but sportsmanlike tournament throughout.Best players for Lebanon were Chahal, Stanton and Ahmad El Masri and for Fiji Bainivalu, Tora and Vosuqa.Overall the tournament was a great success with three of the final four places being contested by international sides (nine competed). Malta was officially awarded third place for an all-international top three. The promoters of the tournament could do worse then invite even more international sides next year, although the contribution of country teams in particular was also exceptional.If the World Sevens is not to be revived by the Australian Rugby League in the near future, this tournament itself could be an avenue for much needed international development as Fiji, Lebanon and Malta have demonstrated rugby league has such great potential for.

ENGLISH Super League champions Bradford Bulls have rubbished reports linking coach Brian Noble with the imminent vacancy at Australian club Newcastle Knights.Noble, whose contract as Britain coach ends after this year's Tri-Nations Series in New Zealand and Australia, was reported in Sydney to have applied to succeed Michael Hagan when he leaves the Knights for Parramatta at the end of this year. Bradford chief executive Gareth Davies says he has sat down with Noble to discuss the issue and the coach absolutely refutes having had any contact with the Knights.Davies said Noble has stated he would like to coach in a warmer environment like Australia in the future but he is contracted this year and next year with Bradford. Noble is preparing the Bulls for Friday's World Club Challenge with Wests Tigers.Newcastle, who ended last season with the National Rugby League wooden spoon, enjoyed success under a previous Great Britain coach, Malcolm Reilly, who took them to a first Grand Final win in 1997.

?35 degrees against the Premiers ? can?t get a bigger test up front than that,? commented Norths General Manager Greg Florimo as the Bears Harold Matthews squad tested their mental in 1 & half hours of 20-minute quarters against Penrith.With a possession of 2:1 in favour of Penrith the Bears will head into their next trials with a clear plan of what to improve and work on. ?It came down to simple mistakes: controlling the play, drop ball allowing Penrith to hit back and probably a lack of experience in aggression.All fixable problems? said Co-coach Kevin Nichols. ?It?s absolutely fixable, we will turn this experience into a positive,? said fellow coach Gary Armstrong.The SG Ball camp are confident of a competitive year with the under 18 boys at times dominating the Penrith side. An even matched affair till the Penrith club brought on fresh teams to trial, the aggressive and talkative North Sydney side performed admirably against the Panthers.It was a tough encounter with Norths Brock Harmer being knocked out and a strong performance by John Faletau. But just like that well-known TV show, assistant coach Jamie Papa felt ?there?s room for improvement?. Jamie trained one of the most competitive Bears Premier League sides in a number of years in the 2005 season.The Bears next trial will be against the Manly Sea Eagles on the 4thFebruary.PHOTO: S.G. Balls' John Faletau crossing the line in a extraordinarily tough trial match against Penrith. Photo: Steve LittleFor more action photos of the Junior Reps trial against Penrith go here - http://www.northsydneybears.com.au/Photos/Junior%20Reps/20060121vpenrithtr/20060121%20-%20TR%20JR%20V%20Penrith.htmThe North Sydney Rugby League Football Club can be contacted on 9466 8860, by e-mail [email protected], or check out the website athttp://www.northsydneybears.com.au.

ROCKHAMPTON Leagues Club Central Queensland Comets lock forward Herewini Rangi showed he is going to be a handy recruit but unfortunately the experienced Cowboys were just too good for his side the Comets defeating them 44-nil at Browne Park, Rockhampton on Saturday February 12 in the second round of the Minniecon & Burke Comets Pre-Season Challenge.